Burns ‘smaller’ on Valkyrie the Dawson Creek rescue bear as society eyes springtime release

Graphic content warning: This story contains images of injury which readers may find distressing.

SMITHERS, B.C. — A bear cub which was found near Dawson Creek continues to make strides toward a full recovery, with a social media update noting her burn marks are “much smaller.”

Valkyrie, a black bear cub, was found in late December off near the side of 188 Road near Dawson Creek.

She was brought to the Northern Lights Wildlife Society (NLWS) in Smithers by volunteers shortly thereafter.

NLWS executive director and manager, Angelika Langen, said Valkyrie had received burns to her face and paws, possibly due to hibernating in a slash pile of wood – a practice of the deliberate burning of logging debris done in wintertime.

“She woke up in hibernation to a burning slash pile,” said Langen. “She clawed her way out of it and into -20 C degree weather with her burns, which wasn’t the greatest combination.”

Valkyrie was in a “pre-hibernation state” for about a week following the incident, stating it was “hard to assess” where the bear was in her recovery immediately following the rescue.

In its latest update to Facebook on January 10th, it is noted the bear’s burn marks on its paws are “much smaller,” but Langen says Valkyrie will continue to have bandages on her paws for the foreseeable future.

“They are still being bandaged for another couple weeks,” said Langen. “We will also keep working on the face to get all the scars, like the crusty burn scar tissue, off there. We hope she’s going to be alright.”

The NLWS plans to release Valkyrie in the springtime, said Langen.